CHECKMATE 2016

Checkmate is an action-packed 6 day residential holiday for young people, boys and girls situated in beautiful countryside in rural Bedfordshire. Young people can attend from all over the nation [some even travel from abroad]. The residential is a chess specialist holiday attracting young people with a keen interest in chess and highly competitive. The holiday is organized by Kevin Moore [Face2Face Educational Trust] and a volunteer team who enjoy working with young people. Face2Face Educational Trust is a Christian Trust that puts on educational programmes and events for children and families.

The photographs speak volumes and speak of the beauty.

A chess simultaneous display happens each year where the young people & team take on Kevin. This year the rules allowed two people per table to discuss tactics, to help each other to make it harder for Kevin. They were also allowed four passes and the simul proved to be a challenging and competitive evening for all concerned.

Two of the sixteen players that competed against Kevin in the simultaneous chess display, Kevin [caterer] and Andrew who has served on team since the beginning in 2008. A BIG thank you to all my team for all your help and hard work, much appreciated.

Equally competitive is the balloon game and the outdoor team games… 🙂

Checkmate enables young people to share with each other, develop friendships, talk about education and University, view different cultures, explore the Bible, laugh together, observe the local wildlife and explore the area.

The beauty of the area is impressive and the different moods and colours to each day. Again this year the residentials were blessed with super weather throughout.

The campfire and treasure hunt in the dark was much enjoyed, boys particularly love finding things in the dark.

Checkmate was set up in 2008 in the October half term and after several years moved to become a popular summer holiday for young people. Young people have attended from South Korea, France, Spain and Germany as well as from all over Britain. Many young people and team have served on Checkmate over the years and next year we have our tenth anniversary, so it should be special, early booking is advised as places are limited. Booking forms are available from Kevin. Can you guess what year this is?

In addition to the chess competition and coaching there are regular outings to the Harold Odell Country Park, nearby and the local recreation park for energetic games. The Chellington Centre also has a games area where lots of outdoor games are included in the week to give a balance of indoor and outdoor activities and competition.

An excellent shot from 2014 where we were entertained by the park Ranger, Richard in the Harold Odell Country Park.

Impressive sunsets and wildlife surround the centre, this year we viewed Buzzards, Kestrels, deer, wrens, rabbits, cows, House Martins, Swallows, horses, Grebes a Grey Heron and a Kite. There is always lots to see…

Below is the scene at 6am in the morning with rising mist from the valley.

Spiderball at the Harold Odell Country Park several years ago. Great fun and the winners will be all down to good teamwork.

To book in for #Checkmate 2017, please contact me for booking forms, as it will be a special one as it will be the tenth year of Checkmate, I suggest early booking as places are limited to 20. If interested in booking in, please contact Kevin kevinmoore758@btinternet.com

Kevin Moore runs The Art Studio at the Charles Burrell Centre in Thetford, Kevin teaches all kinds of drawing and painting and runs courses suitable for children and adults keen to develop their artistic skills. He also runs the Thetford Youth and Community Chess Club and Street Chess on King Street, Thetford and offers a chess educational day to schools. Kevin ran the chess ministry at the Christian Vision For Men weekend in 2016.